ONE of the new fleet of trams in Edinburgh has made its first trip through the centre of the capital.

The 45m-long vehicle successfully completed a test run from Haymarket along Princes Street to York Place in the early hours of the morning.

It travelled at walking pace while it was checked by engineers and contractors.

Edinburgh City Council transport convener Lesley Hinds said: "Getting a tram on to Princes Street is the culmination of an intensive period of hard work to get this project back on track. It is an important step forward but all eyes are now on the launch of passenger services in May.

"With the first successful test in the city centre, we're ready for more frequent testing along the length of the route in the new year.

"It's important to recognise the significance of this test phase. There is much to be done and we're at a vital stage in the project, ensuring that all the appropriate tests and checks are done."

Transport minister Keith Brown said: "The successful test runs on Princes Street and at Haymarket over the past few days are welcome landmarks for the tram project.

"Seeing the trams operating in the city centre is a sign of real progress for the project, following the delays and frustration of the past."

Trams reach Princes Street, the final stretch of the route from Haymarket Station to York Place (Image: SWNS Group)

The frequency and speed of tram testing will increase over the coming weeks, although few runs are likely before new year, the council said.

After six years of construction, the trams are due to begin transporting passengers by May.

The project has been hit by problems including a long-running dispute between the council and its contractor.

Work restarted last year on a more expensive but much shorter line. It was originally intended that trams would run from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven in the north for £545 million, but the route will now terminate in York Place in the city centre and cost £776 million.